Top 10 things to do in Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga is the largest inland city in New South Wales, Australia and is considered by many as the hub of the Riverina region.

It is widely recognised as the "City of Good Sports" because of the large number of sporting heroes that came from this city, including Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor, rugby league hero Peter Sterling and AFL legend Paul Kelly. Wagga Wagga is also known as the Garden City of the South because of its beautiful parks, rivers and gardens.

Wagga Wagga is located on the Sturt and Olympic Highways, approximately half way between Sydney and Melbourne, making it very accessible to visitors and tourists. Wagga Wagga may seem like a small and quiet city, but its diverse offerings and recently constructed facilities such as the Civic Centre and Oasis Aquatic Centre make this city a must see. Here are 10 activities you should try during your stay in Wagga Wagga.

1. Experience the culture.

Wagga Wagga is home to several museums and galleries. One of the popular galleries is the Council's Regional Art Gallery which is located in the Civic Centre. The Regional Art Gallery showcases a remarkable collection of paintings and sculptures by well-known Australian artists. It also houses the Australian Print Collection, which includes around 900 works by artists such as Arthur Boyd, Lloyd Rees and Pro Hart.

Just a few metres away is the National Art Glass Gallery, which showcases Australia's largest collections of studio glass. The National Art Glass Gallery attracts thousands of visitors each year and is situated in a beautiful building cleverly modelled on a splinter of glass.

Another museum to visit is the Riverina Museum, which displays collections in two different locations in the city. The main location is in the Historic Council Chambers, which regularly hosts a program of travelling exhibitions. The second location is on Williams Hill and features art work that tells the story of the town's history.

2. Visit the city library.

The Wagga Wagga City Library is not just about books. It also offers regular story time sessions, seminars, workshops and musical events for all age groups. It also offers internet access, second-language materials, DVDs and audio books. The Wagga Wagga City Library has been given several awards for its unique and innovative service offerings and for its community interaction.

3. Get into sports.

As expected from a city that has produced a large number of sporting heroes, Wagga Wagga offers sporting facilities for many indoor and outdoor sports including golf, basketball, cricket, badminton, athletics, Australian football and weight lifting.

If you would like to go for a swim, take a dip in the Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre which is recognised as one of Australia's best swimming facilities. The Oasis is family-friendly and offers both indoor and outdoor competition standard swimming and diving pools. It also offers leisure pools and Australia's only wave-ball facility.

When the temperature is climbing during the hot summer months, another ideal place to swim is Wagga Beach. It is located on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. Wagga Beach is also a popular spot for sports such as canoeing and kayaking and family activities such as picnics and barbeques.

4. Taste the wine.

Visit the Charles Strut University Winery, a producer of premium table, fortified and sparkling wines. Located on the beautiful campus of the Charles Sturt University, the winery uses grapes grown on the campus vineyards while combining traditional and modern wine-making techniques to produce their own range of premium wine. Their cellar door is open to visitors for tasting and sales of their wine, hand-made cheeses and extra virgin olive oil sourced from one of the oldest olive groves in Australia.

5. Go shopping.

Major stores, boutiques and the two main malls in Wagga Wagga are located along Baylis Street, making it the ideal place to shop. There are also restaurants, cafes, gift stores and salons along the street street, so whether you are looking for a place to eat or shopping for souvenirs, you are sure to find what you need here.

6. Watch a live theatre performance or a concert in the Wollundry Ampitheatre.

The Ampitheatre is also the venue for the popular Farmers Market, held every second Saturday of the month from 8 am to 12 noon.

7. Take a stroll along the river.

The Murrumbidgee River starts from the Snowy Mountains and runs into the Murray River. Aside from being a major resource for the Riverina region, the Murrumbidgee River is also a popular spot for picnics and other recreational activities.

Another spot to visit is Lake Albert, one of Wagga Wagga's most popular attractions. Lake Albert is man-made and surrounded by beautiful parklands and some of Wagga Wagga's best real estate. It is an ideal venue for water sports such as fishing, water skiing and sailing. It also hosts two golf courses, walking and cycling tracks, barbeque facilities, a picnic area and a children's playground.

8. Go for a walk through the Wiradjuri Walking Track.

Following a perimeter route of 30 kilometres around Wagga Wagga, the track is the perfect opportunity for visitors to see the city's most popular and scenic destinations such as the Botanic Gardens and Lake Albert.

9. Dine out.

Wagga Wagga offers many fantastic restaurants and cafes. For a truly unique dining experience, visit Thomasina's Restaurant in Astor Inn. Thomasina's uses the original charcoal grill, which allows the food to retain its fresh and natural flavour. The Astor Inn also offers a regularly changing menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Visitors may also enjoy some drinks with their family and friends in the lounge area.

10. Enjoy your preferred Wagga accommodation.

After a long day of sightseeing and fun-filled activities, some rest and relaxation is called for. Wagga Wagga offers many accommodations that range from Wagga hotels, Wagga motels and bed and breakfast. Select an accommodation in Wagga that suits your requirements. If you want to stay in the heart of the city, visit Astor inn, the preferred hotel by Wagga locals and tourists alike. If you would like to enjoy the great outdoors, there are camping grounds you can build your tent on. Whatever your choice of accommodation, make sure that it will give you the comfort you are looking for after an eventful day in Wagga Wagga.

Location of the Astor Inn

The Astor Inn is conveniently located in the heart of town, down from the Wagga Train Station on the corner of Edward and Baylis St. The Astor Inn is also located 10 minutes drive from Wagga Wagga airport.

We were delighted with the accommodation... The motel was certainly clean and serviceable with extremely friendly staff. Mention kapooka and you receive a 10 % discount on already very reasonable rates. The absolute best hotel for march outs.